Before Iraq’s elections, Washington made no secret of its desire to keep militias away from both the political and security arenas, arguing that their presence strengthens Iranian influence in the country.

While Ankara continues to issue warnings to the SDF, diplomatic contacts between Turkiye and Syria are increasing, particularly after the two countries’ defense ministries signed a joint training and advisory agreement.

Lawmakers, legal experts, and human rights organizations have voiced concern over the expanded role of the military in domestic affairs, warning that Trump could use the same approach to exert control over other states whose Democratic governors defy his orders.

The European troika, in agreement with the U.S., has set the end of August 2025 as the final deadline to reinstate the snapback mechanism on Iran, unless Tehran shows cooperation with the IAEA and returns to the diplomatic path.

Hezbollah has started implementing a new organizational plan aimed at merging several of its jihadist and operational units, along with institutions that share similar functions, as part of an internal restructuring process.